Brief: The Great Falls Historical Society’s Old-Fashioned Christmas

The officers and board of directors of the Great Falls Historical Society welcome the entire community to join them on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the historic Great Falls Grange to enjoy the fine musical talents of more than 50 Cooper Middle School Chorus and Orchestra members in a performance of seasonal music.

The Great Falls Grange, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a public assembly hall built in 1929 as a symbol of commitment to community involvement and progress, and has been a special meeting place throughout its history. GFHS board members have selected historic dessert recipes (pre-1900s), which they are preparing for to reconnect guests with what a traditional holiday celebration was like in olden days.

The recipes are from the local Great Falls cookbook titled How to Cure a Thousand Pounds of Ham and Other Receipts, gathered by the Great Falls Historical Society in 1987. Present and former residents of Great Falls contributed these family recipes which all pre-date 1900. This GFHS-researched cookbook represents both the origins and the resulting blending of generations past, what was grown or available locally, and what the people of the time preferred to eat. One can observe the diverse national groups that came to this country, bringing their special tastes and methods of preparation, blending with indigenous foodstuffs known to Native Americans. This local recipe book represents the origin and the resulting blending that is now part of the community of Great Falls.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.gfhs.org.